Agnes Robeson, a resident of Craigie in the county of Ayr, found herself at the center of a witchcraft trial on April 6, 1658. Her case was one among several featured in the Ayr Court on that day, as indicated by the court's records listing a group of individuals summoned for trial via porteous rolls—official court documents summoning accused individuals. The mention of a roll dated March 31, 1658, highlights the formal and organized nature of the legal proceedings as the community grappled with the pervasive fear of witchcraft.
Agnes's trial represents a moment in the broader context of Scottish history where witch trials were notably prevalent, occurring from 1563 to 1736. These trials were shaped by longstanding social tensions, religious upheavals, and a legal framework that viewed the supernatural with suspicion. The precise accusations and evidence presented against Agnes, as well as the outcome of her trial, are not detailed in the surviving records, but the fact that her case was prominent enough to be noted in the porteous rolls underscores the gravity with which such accusations were regarded. The hardships faced by individuals like Agnes reflect the intense scrutiny and peril that ordinary citizens could encounter in the face of widespread belief in witchcraft during this period.